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© 2024 Unmasking the Mess

juliealoos

True story…. I should have kept my mouth shut. 🤦‍♀️🙄🤪

Sometimes there are no words for all the heavy and

Sometimes there are no words for all the heavy and painful things happening in this world.

We can’t understand it. Our expectations of what should happen don’t.

And yet what I know to be true is God’s ways are His ways.

He hasn’t lost control. He isn’t pacing back and forth trying to figure it all out.

He promises to give His people “hope and a future!”

So as the world spirals (and didn’t He tell us this would happen in Revelations?) we look to the Shepherd.

When we want to do something but don’t know what to do or where to start, one of the biggest acts we can do is to pray.

We don’t know what to do but our eyes are on you!

I’ve been quiet on here lately because this summ

I’ve been quiet on here lately because this summer has been a hard one for me.

Not ready to share yet, if ever.

I have spent more time crying and in desperate prayer, but yet I know God has a plan for all of it.

My story is being weaved into something beautiful, but it’s been hard.

With the breaking, growth and new life can begin. And so I’m letting it begin.

So as I process and pray for guidance, I’m still showing up on Monday’s for Rise and Thrive email.

I do know God is good and nothing is wasted.

If you’re struggling drop a 💜 below so I can pray for you! It brings me comfort and joy to be able to encourage and pray for you!

5 things about me since I haven’t done this in a

5 things about me since I haven’t done this in a while and I have new friends here: 👋🏻

1. I’ve never lived in a city except for 6 months at college. I’m currently 30-40 minutes from the closest Walmart. 🙃

2. I’ve never broken any bones nor have I had any surgeries.

3. I’ve been a Christian my whole life, but I would say I was transformed in 2014 and made Him the Lord of my Life.

4. I have a summer to do list and I don’t think I’ve gotten any of it done yet. One of the list items is to try sourdough again. 😂

5. I’m still trying to figure out what my calling is apart from being a mom and grandma. I love to teach, research, and encourage others.

I wanna know something about you! Tell me something too!💜

I read something today and it caused me to gasp…

I read something today and it caused me to gasp…

“God doesn’t promise to bless us where we don’t belong” - Marshawn Evan Daniels

Woah…

Maybe you made a decision and you didn’t really ask God for wisdom about it. Or perhaps you did and you didn’t like the answer He gave so you forged ahead anyway.

And now, you’re wondering why you aren’t seeing the blessings.

You’re not where you should be.😩

I get it, we want what we want. Some things we want so bad we will assure ourselves that it’s from God, but what if it isn’t?

What if He wants you on a different path… the path that isn’t glamorous or spectacular by your standards.

So today as I ponder this, I’m digger in deeper and asking Him to get me back on the right path, His path.

Did the quote above feel like a sucker punch to you or make you gasp like it did me? Let me know in the comments!💜

I choose to believe God has good things for me. S

I choose to believe God has good things for me.

So when it’s a hard season, I have to dig in deep to His promises. (There’s a lot of promises in the Bible to grasp hold of!)

What if that hard thing you’re going through is making you better? Will you believe that He is has you?

What if it’s healing (and not just physical healing but emotional/ mental/ spiritual?)

Will you trust Him?

God doesn’t leave you where you’ve been!💜

Are you going through a season of pain, friend? I

Are you going through a season of pain, friend?

I don’t know why you are. I wish I could tell you, but here’s what I want to encourage you with:

There is purpose in this pain.

I don’t understand it, it’s hard to comprehend.

I know our brains don’t equate pain with purpose or goodness.

But when I head to the Word of God, I see how pain/ loss/ grief can be used for greater things.

We have a God that is steadfast, faithful, trustworthy, loving, and works in ways we can’t even begin to understand.

While knowing there is purpose for the pain you’re feeling, it doesn’t negate the sadness and loss your feeling.

But maybe just hold onto a snippet of Hope that God has purpose in all of these hard seasons.

(Sometimes you can only hold on a little, am I right?)

With Hope leading you, trust Him. He won’t let you fall!💜

Here’s a raw and authentic post from me today…

Here’s a raw and authentic post from me today…

I’ve been praying the same prayer for 6 years now. It doesn’t feel like I’m going to get the answer my heart desires.

The last few days have been really hard. I have found myself crying over this situation because I just want the answer I desire.

I know God is stretching me and I really dislike it. Dislike isn’t even the best word for how much I’m fighting this season.

I know God can come through, but He hasn’t yet.

How do you keep believing when everything feels like it’s falling apart?

How do you keep the hope when your heart is breaking into a million pieces?

I have found myself drawing quietly back and some moments I say in a breath prayer, “I trust you, Lord!”

But then I’m given over to fear and what ifs…. So here’s what I’ve been doing on repeat:

Lots of crying.
Praying both on my knees and through the day. (Intensely and purposely).
Reading His word.
Finding devotions about this topic.
Playing a few songs on repeat.
Telling God, “I don’t know what to do anymore, and my eyes are on you!”

I do know God has a plan for it all. I can’t see it, but I know He’s working on it.

So in hope, I feel sad, but I know He’s a good good Father.

Everything is possible for one who believes (Mark 9:23).

What do you do when it doesn’t seem like God is answering your prayers?

How do you have the energy to do what you do?🧐🧐🧐

I’ve heard this said a few times lately.

When I think about it, I do have more energy than I had in my 20s and 30s and early 40s because I know more than I did then.

✅Sleep is super important.

If you aren’t sleeping well or getting enough sleep, it will make everything else you do like exercising or eating healthy useless.

✅Exercising.

A few months ago I asked a health care provider how I could exercise if I was suffering from fatigue, and she said make sure you exercise; this is the time to move your body.

Guess what she was right. As I began an exercise regimen, I found more and more energy.

✅Hydrate.

We can feel fatigued by not drinking enough. I have to be intentional about this or I don’t drink enough water.

✅Feeding my body good things.

You wouldn’t fill up your car with bad gas, so why would you live on junk food?

I get it, life is busy and crazy. But there are still grab-able things to eat that support your body not harm it.

Our bodies are asking for nutrients and vitamins and fats and carbs and fiber… Whole Foods. Think of foods your great grandparents ate.

✅ I also drink NingXia Red every day which is a whole food supplement so I can rest assured I’m giving my body what it needs.

Where do you struggle?

Water intake? Exercise? Sleep? Diet?

If you’re stuck in life, listen up!⬇️⬇️

If you’re stuck in life, listen up!⬇️⬇️

But first you might be thinking am I stuck?

Do you feel unmotivated?
Frustrated with your current place, but yet you’re not sure what to do?
Maybe you go back and forth trying to figure out what you should be doing or even what you’d like to be doing?

Here’s what I’ve learned, it all boils down to your thoughts.

Our thinking is huge and if we are stuck, most likely our thinking is stuck too!

I get this!

I was stuck for a few years believing that my anxiety would dictate my life.

Once I learned how powerful my thoughts were, everything changed. I was no longer stuck.

Anxiety could still be present, but how I thought about it made all the difference.

You see how you think determines your feelings which determine your behavior and actions and ultimately your life.

Stuck life = stuck thoughts.

And just because you think something doesn’t mean it’s true!🤯🤯🤯

Friend, you can overcome whatever you’re dealing with. Start working on your thoughts!

Save and share this post with a friend!💜💜💜💜

I heard this yesterday and it’s been kind of gna

I heard this yesterday and it’s been kind of gnawing at me.

Do something that makes your heart larger, not smaller. ❤️

I’ve felt like I’m in a rut lately. Not sure I should be blogging.

Uncertain if I should go back to my part time job. (I took a break for the summer!)

Really not sure what I should be doing and not sure the direction I should go.

I have some dream, but I don’t know if they are my dreams versus dreams that God wants.

“We can make our plans, but the LORD determines our steps (Proverbs 16:9).

When I heard this yesterday I was like oh my goodness. What is making my heart swell and what isn’t.

So I’m quietly contemplating this thought and seeking Godly wisdom above all.

I want my heart to get larger and I want to be used by Him.

What do you do when you’re not sure which direction to head?

Lots of sun this weekend and the smiles are endles

Lots of sun this weekend and the smiles are endless!👶👶👶🎀🎀🎀

Tell me your favorite summer salad recipe!

Post the recipe too!

I’m in a rut right now and am sick of cooking the same old things!🙃🙂

Laundry is a drag… and non-toxic laundry deterge

Laundry is a drag… and non-toxic laundry detergent is too expensive….

I get it.

That’s where I was years ago.

And then I went on a deep dive into what chemicals do to our bodies. (I had been struggling with hormone issues and guess what can contribute to that- chemicals in the products in our homes!)

Youch!😩🥺

Oh how I wish I knew that in my early adult life!

I wash a lot of clothes because I have a big family and kids in multiple sports, so I needed to make sure making this healthy switch was do-able.

What I love about these products is the Seed to Seal promises and the company has been in business over 30 years. This is huge!

Check out the pictures to see how I make it.

In a nutshell, I divide my Thieves laundry detergent into 1/3s, add the Thieves Household Cleaner, add 25-30 drops of my favorite YL Essential Oils, and water.

To each cycle I add 3-5 pumps (if I’m even counting😂!)

This lasts me around 3 months before I have to make it again! 🙌🙌

I rest assured that in this area, I’m not adding harmful chemicals to the clothes my kids (or I) am wearing for hours at a time and my laundry room smells pretty fantastic!

Do you think laundry is a drag too?

P.S. add some mood boosting oils to the laundry and suddenly everyone is in a better mood!🙃🙂

I couldn’t even make it through the day. My ene

I couldn’t even make it through the day.

My energy was zapped just a few hours after waking.

I needed a nap every day after lunch.

My anxiety was through the roof.

And I was irritable with my family (the people I love more than anything!)

Slugging through each day, I wanted to feel better. 🐌🐌🐌🐌

I felt like I was a lot older than I was.

Have you felt any of this before?

Maybe you’re desperate to feel better? Or perhaps you fear you will feel worse?

What if you could feel better?

More energy.
Stable mood.
Better sleep.
Motivation to exercise and live this life of yours.

I get it, your brain says “yes, I want that.” But then it switches to I can’t do ANYTHING else.

And your brain bosses you around and you say maybe in the future. Not right now- love that brain.🧠

Can I share a nugget of truth with you?

Right now, the habits you have determine your health in the future. (It’s kind of like the if/then sentence we learned in school.)

If I feel unhealthy now, then I will feel unhealthy in the future unless I do something.

I’m a busy mom also. I don’t have extra time on my hands.

But… hands down this has given me the tools to begin.

The thing stopping you and me from getting healthy is mostly between our ears. Hello brain!🧠

Yep, our brains like to tell us excuses and point out how hard it will be or that the product won’t help us.

Here’s your biggest takeaway: bossing your brain is the first step to health.

Tell your brain that you can get healthier with a few steps and you can do hard things.

How’s your future health? You decide today!

If you felt moments of “yes, she gets me” reach out and let’s talk about if you’re ready to try something that takes a 14 day commitment.

Want to know my top travel tip?⭐️ You know ho

Want to know my top travel tip?⭐️

You know how when you go on vacation you tend to eat things you’re not used to?

Or you eat more than you normally do?

And your whole digestion feels kind of off?

This just happened to me… my tummy wasn’t feeling good even before a trip away from home and then I have been eating different foods than I’m used to.

I was so thankful for packing these!

The powder sachets can be added to water and after it fizzes you drink it.

My tummy always feels better after I have one.

P.S. I’ve already seen friend’s acidy stomachs get better when they have added this to their daily routine!

Is it just me or does traveling cause some GI distress for you too?

My biggest smile today was my daughter sending me

My biggest smile today was my daughter sending me this!

What made you smile today?

Are you a momma that knows she NEEDS to do somethi

Are you a momma that knows she NEEDS to do something?

Perhaps you are always tired, and you just can’t sleep well?

Maybe you’re irritable and your mood is way off?

Or maybe you just need help starting something because you know you need to be healthier (and you keep telling yourself this), but you can’t fit anything more in. Because the kids, work, house, and everything else.

But you know that everyday that ticks by isn’t good either.

I GET YOU. As a mom to 5, I understand.

I’ve been there too.

Let me introduce to you an easy way to jumpstart your health.

Can I tell you about it?

The Ningxia Red Reset-the ultimate antioxidant-rich drink that pairs perfectly with a holistic approach to health! 🍷✨

💪 **Exercise**: Boost your workouts with natural energy.
😴 **Sleep**: Support restful nights and wake up refreshed.
💧 **Hydration**: Enhance hydration for glowing skin and overall vitality.
🍎 **Diet**: Complement your nutritious meals with this delicious super drink.
🧘‍♀️ **Stress Relief**: Find balance and calm in your busy days.

Join me on the #NingXiaRedReset in August!

Have you tried NingXia Red?

Want to hear more about it? I assure you that it doesn’t take a lot of mind-space because that’s precious when you’re so BUSY MOMMA.

Share your experience or drop a 🍷 if you’re ready to reset your wellness!

#SuperAntioxidant #HealthyLiving #FaithAndHealth #MomLife #momsleep #findingsleep #needenergy #healthymoms #healthymomhealthyfamily

I told them NO. After struggling with so many iss

I told them NO.

After struggling with so many issues over 10 years, I finally said no.

➡️No to medications without looking deeper into the root problem or even being really heard.

➡️No to it “all being in my head.” I mean I was fine one day and the next I wasn’t, it wasn’t in my head.

➡️No to excepting this was the new me.

➡️No to surviving through the day and not thriving.

➡️No to using products that claimed the very essence of me by screwing up my hormones.

Maybe you’re struggling and you haven’t gotten answers.

Maybe you’ve been handed pills without being heard.

Or perhaps you’re feeling like you just want to feel like yourself again. You want to be excited to live this life.

Perhaps you need to say no and choose differently.

You deserve to enjoy your life!💜

You can overcome too!💜

Your voice needs to be heard!💜

Share your story in the comments about what you are overcoming! Let us encourage you!

So mommy went back to work last week so Gigi has b

So mommy went back to work last week so Gigi has been enjoying the time with these two.

Phew… how did I do this five times?😳😳

Want to know the number one thing I tell myself as a Gigi.

Start with the end in mind.

I want to have a close relationship with my grandbabies so I need to start with the end in mind.

I try and see them as much as I can. I change diapers. I kiss boo boos.

I try to find out this stuff:
What are they into? What do they like? What brings them joy? What scares them?

Little ones can be hard with all the little people emotions and meltdowns, but you can’t have a close, strong relationship without investing the time now.

So I say yes a lot to watching them and I offer a lot too.

Start with the end in mind.

What is your biggest advice if you’re a grandparent?

What was I thinking? So in the spring we got 12

What was I thinking?

So in the spring we got 12 chicks because my flock was taken out by predators (minus 4 ducks who survived).

Then my ducks had 12 ducklings.

Little e wanted to add some turkey poults and here we are…. Somewhere close to 30 birds.

And you better believe I’m stalking the coop daily for eggs because I don’t need anymore birds of the feather.😮‍💨

I have rationalized that we have eggs and meat if the crazy world becomes crazier.

Can I eat my pets? I’m not sure.😩

The coop had a recent addition too.

I guess I need a new title: Poultry Farmer.

So far only a few are laying eggs but when they all start… 😳😳😳😳

The turkeys are male and can they eat.

What does one do with turkeys anyway (if we aren’t planning on them becoming a turkey dinner?)

Phew…. No more birds here though!🤣

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